The Alleghany County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, April 5, 2004, at 6:30pm in the Conference Room of the County Office Building, 90 South Main Street, Sparta, North Carolina.

 

            Present:  Chair Eldon Edwards, Vice-Chair Warren Taylor, Commissioner Sandy Carter, Commissioner Patrick Woodie, County Manager Don Adams, and Clerk to the Board Karen Evans. Commissioner Graylen Blevins and County Attorney Ed Woltz were absent. 

 

Chair Eldon Edwards called the meeting to order.

 

Commissioner Patrick Woodie opened the meeting with a prayer.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter made a motion to approve the agenda for this April 5, 2004, meeting.  Commissioner Warren Taylor seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

AGENDA

Monday, April 5, 2004

6:30 PM

 

6:30                 Meeting Called To Order

                        Motion on Agenda for April 5, 2004 meeting

Motion on Minutes for March 15 & 29, 2004 meetings

6:35                 Public Hearing

RE:  ROAP Grant

6:45                 Leanne Murray

                        RE:  Occupancy Tax

7:00                 John Hampton

                        RE:  Vet Incentive

County Business

1.      Home & Community Care Block Grant Advisory Board

2.      Joint Community Advisory Committee Appointment

3.      DANA Lease

4.      Map Review Officer Resolution

5.      Other Business

6.      Public Comments—30 minutes

7.      Closed Session—NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal

NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (4)—economic development (added)

8.      Adjourn

 

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to approve the March 15 & 29, 2004, minutes.  Commissioner Sandy Carter seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards recessed the regular meeting at 6:32pm and opened the public hearing regarding the Rural Operating Assistance Program grant.

 

            April Caudill, Transportation Director, explained the ROAP grant including the funding amounts; EDTAP $35,721, Work First $2,032 and RGP $20,431 totaling $58,184.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards and April Caudill discussed the EDTAP and Rural General Public (RGP) transportation funds.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public comments. 

 

            Bob Bamberg stated that this program is something that has been needed for a long time.

 

            Chair Eldon Edwards closed the public hearing at 6:38pm and reconvened the regular meeting.

 

Leanne Murray, Chamber of Commerce Director, came to discuss occupancy tax with the Board of Commissioners.   She displayed ads that are being funded with the current occupancy tax monies collected.  She explained that she hasn’t been able to complete the amount of advertising that is needed due to limited funds.  She reviewed the occupancy taxes revenues and expenditures for this fiscal year.  She stated that the current occupancy tax is collected from accommodation providers with five or more units.  She further stated that she is proposing to change the occupancy tax law to require all accommodation providers collect the 3% occupancy tax.  She further reviewed their actions on making this change including talking with our State legislation, working on the wording for the bill draft, met with accommodation providers.  She reviewed the wording of the proposed changes; money being limited to travel and tourism by giving 100% to the Chamber of Commerce for travel and tourism, not to exceed 6% and to be decided upon by the Board of Commissioners.  She talked about the travel and tourism coalition wanting the County to develop a tourism development authority.  She explained that the Chamber will set up a separate committee to act as the tourism development authority.  She stated that she is asking for the Board’s support for getting this change. She explained that the Board of Commissioners will be able to set the rate between 3% and 6% if the proposed changes are adopted. 

 

Commissioner Warren Taylor and Leanne Murray talked about how this change will be fairer across the accommodation providers in the county and the collection process.

 

County Manager Don Adams informed the Board about the occupancy tax collection procedures.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter talked about other counties charging occupancy tax being standard practice now throughout the State.  She further talked about how this issue will be fairer across all of the providers.  She informed the Commissioners that at the accommodation providers meeting, the providers stated that they would like to see all of the money go towards travel and tourism.

 

Commissioner Patrick Woodie stated his support for this action.  He further stated his appreciation for the way the Chamber has gone about gathering this information.  He said that he thinks the Board should have a public hearing since this is changing a local ordinance and will be requesting a local bill for Alleghany County.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards and Commissioner Warren Taylor stated that they would like the County to hold a public hearing on this subject. 

 

The Board of Commissioners and Leanne Murray discussed the procedures of collections and expenditures for the occupancy tax.

 

County Manager Don Adams stated that the County doesn’t have to hold a public hearing to change State law but since this is a local ordinance, the County will have to have a public hearing at the next meeting. 

 

John Hampton explained that the County needs another full-time veterinarian and is asking for the County’s assistance in help to recruit a new veterinarian to the area by providing a financial incentive to this individual.  He explained that he is looking at having $100 per week, $5,200 a year, payable to the loan holder instead of to the individual, as long as this person works as a veterinarian in the County for four years.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards and John Hampton discussed the new veterinarian.

 

Commissioner Patrick Woodie talked about how in the past incentives for the dentist and another veterinarian.  He stated that he thinks that Mr. Hampton’s idea is excellent, and he would like to take it one step further by creating a program that would be used to recruit all types of professionals.

 

The Board of Commissioners discussed taking these funds out of economic development.

 

The Board of Commissioners and John Hampton discussed this action is a good faith effort on the County’s part to assist the new vet with her financial situation and the action would be effective July 1, 2004.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards stated that it sounds like the Board’s consensus is to go ahead on this idea and the Board will vote on the matter when all Commissioners are present.

 

County Manager Don Adams stated that the consensus would be giving John Hampton & Dr. Nash Williams the authority to pursue this action and bring the contract back later.

 

County Manager Don Adams presented a letter from Janis Fender asking that Council on Aging be appointed as Lead Agency for the Home & Community Care Block Grant for this year and make the following changes to the H&CCBG advisory board; Danny Jacobs replacing Lisa Rogers and removing David Jackson.

 

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve Council on Aging as Lead Agency for the Home & Community Care Block Grant for this year and make the following changes to the H&CCBG advisory board; Danny Jacobs replacing Lisa Rogers and removing David Jackson.  Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

County Manager Don Adams presented a letter from Alex Jernigan requesting that Patricia Polly be reappointed to the Alleghany County Joint Community Advisory Committee.

 

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to approve the reappointment of Patricia Polly to the Alleghany County Joint Community Advisory Committee.  Commissioner Sandy Carter seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

 

County Manager Don Adams presented a DANA lease agreement for the rental of an apartment from the County.  He reviewed the highlights of the contract.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter made a motion to approve the DANA lease agreement.  Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

County Manager Don Adams presented a resolution to the Board appointing Wendy Williams, Mary Rector, Amy Pardue and himself as Map Review Officers.

 

Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to approve the resolution as presented by the County Manager.  Commissioner Sandy Carter seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

County Manager Don Adams presented a letter to Board from Dr. Gordon Burns explaining that Wilkes Community College intentions are to hire a director/instructor for the Alleghany campus rather than having a shared director between Alleghany Campus and Ashe Campus.

 

County Manager Don Adams mentioned that he has received a phone call from Duane Davis stating the Board of Education is inviting the Commissioners to tour Sparta Elementary School.  He explained that they are asking that a special called meeting be held towards the end of April for the tour.

 

Commissioner Warren Taylor mentioned that the State is looking at having an exotic animal ordinance for the entire state, and we need be proactive instead of reactive on this issue.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards mentioned a letter from Melanie Young regarding Northwest Alliance Program for the Rural Carolinas luncheon on April 8 at Moravian Camp.

 

Commissioner Patrick Woodie explained the program to the Board.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter stated that she thinks this program has great potential.

 

Commissioner Patrick Woodie thanked Paula Presnell for providing refreshments for the April 8 meeting.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards mentioned a Canadian prescription program and Caldwell County has a meeting on April 7 at 11:00am regarding this program.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards passed around a copy of the jail inspection report.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards talked about our dues for NCACC for next year is $1,856.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards asked for public comments.  None were received.

 

Commissioner Patrick Woodie made a motion to enter into closed session under NCGS 143-318.11 (a) (3)—legal and (a) (4)—economic development at 7:42pm.  Commissioner Sandy Carter seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

Commissioner Sandy Carter made a motion to adjourn the closed session and reconvene the regular meeting at 8:31pm.  Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion. Vote 4:0.

 

Chair Eldon Edwards stated that no action was taken during closed session.

 

Being no further business, Commissioner Warren Taylor made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:32pm.  Commissioner Patrick Woodie seconded the motion.  Vote 4:0.

 

Respectfully submitted,                     

 

 

 

Karen Evans                          

Clerk to the Board                  

 

Attest:

 

 

 

Eldon Edwards

Chairman

 

NORTH CAROLINA               )

                                                )

ALLEGHANY COUNTY        )

 

 

 

                                                                                    RESOLUTION

 

            WHEREAS, S.L. 1997-309 (S875) makes a number of significant changes in the procedures for recording maps and plats; and

 

            WHEREAS, the main purpose of the law is to transfer the responsibility for reviewing plats to determine whether they meet recording requirements for the Register of Deeds to a Review Officer; and

 

            WHEREAS, NCGS 47-30.02 requires the Board of Commissioners in each county, by resolution, to appoint a person to serve as Review Officer to review each plat before it is recorded and certify that it meets the statutory requirements for recording; and

 

            WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Alleghany County Board of Commissioners to insure an expeditious review of all maps and plats as required by NCG S 47-30.2 before they are presented to the Register of Deeds for recording.

 

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED effective January 6, 2004, that Kaynita L. (Wendy) Williams and Mary Rector of the Alleghany County Mapping/E-911 Office and Don Adams of the Alleghany County Administration Office and Amy Pardue of the Alleghany County Planning/Recreation Office are hereby appointed to perform all responsibilities as required for Review Officer under the appropriate North Carolina General Statutes. 

 

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution designating the Review Officers be recorded in the Alleghany County Register of Deeds Office and indexed in the name of the Review Officer.

 

            Adopted this 5th day of April, 2004.